Urgent Call to Action to Stop New York State’s Cuts to Programs for People with Developmental Disabilities

February 28, 2013

Late last week New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an amendment to his proposed 2013-14 Budget that will be devastating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services from HeartShare and other non-profit provider agencies in New York State.

The Governor’s amendment will result in a 6% cut in the budget for people with developmental disabilities, which translates into $240 million dollars statewide and several million dollars at HeartShare alone! This could result in program closures and/or reduced funding for staff at HeartShare programs as well as programs operated by other voluntary agencies.

What can you do to help? Contact your NYS Senator and Assembly Member and ask them to restore the 6% cuts that are proposed in the Governor’s budget.

Go to www.iacny.org to send an email directly to your state senator and assembly member. Also contact Governor Cuomo. Enter your HOME ADDRESS and zip code for contact information on your elected officials. Also select “Budget” from the drop-down menu as the issue you are addressing.

In addition to sending an email, you can also write and call your elected officials. If you do not know who they are, visit the IAC Take Action Now! web page and click the Elected Officials tab. By entering your address and zip code, your state Senator and Assembly Member will be identified. Click on their name and then “Contact” to get their local office address and phone number. Phone calls and letters are extremely important for getting your message across and count more than emails in the overall advocacy process!

All calls and letters need to be done within the next 10 days to be able to influence the budget process so please act now!

We urge you to get involved. These budget cuts are the most devastating ones to hit the developmental disabilities services field in the past 40 years. If we stand by while the services and supports we have worked so hard to create are so negatively impacted, the real victims will be our individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A small amount of your time could have an enormous impact on the lives of society’s most vulnerable individuals! Thank you.